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The Los Angeles Dodgers' offensive performance in the 2024 postseason left much to be desired, with the batting order struggling for consistency throughout the second half of the campaign. Before the All-Star break, the team posted a .262 average, the second-best in baseball, but that figure dipped to .249 (10th in the league) after the break. To inject some life into the lineup—especially after four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani landed on the injured list late in the year—the Dodgers promoted Double-A standout Josue De Paula.
The 21-year-old De Paula enjoyed a stellar season at Double-A, slashing .303/.401/.547 with 27 home runs and 104 RBIs in 124 games. In an 11-game MLB cameo, he hit .323 with a 1.081 OPS as a designated hitter, and his first career hit was a three-run homer. Despite the Dodgers' lack of outfield depth last season, De Paula was limited to DH duties because of his below-average defense in the minor leagues. That limitation became even more pronounced in the postseason, as the team couldn't fully utilize his bat.
With the offseason underway, the obvious plan would be for De Paula to work closely with Dodgers coaches to improve his defensive skills. However, the looming lockout—if no new collective bargaining agreement is reached by Dec. 1—would prohibit players from contacting any team personnel. Fortunately for fans, team insider Dylan Hernandez of the California Post reported that De Paula will seek out a pair of MLB veterans, Alex Ochoa and Gold Glove Award winner Jackie Bradley Jr., for assistance.
Ochoa brings eight years of MLB experience and another six in Japan. His final big league game was Game 7 of the 2002 World Series, when he entered as a defensive replacement for Hall of Famer Tim Salmon in right field in the eighth inning, helping the Anaheim Angels secure the championship. Bradley, the 2018 ALCS MVP with the Boston Red Sox, is also an All-Star and has 11 MLB seasons under his belt. In his last full season (2022), he recorded an Outs Above Average mark of plus-7, placing him in the 94th percentile among outfielders.
Key Analysis
The guidance De Paula receives from Ochoa and Bradley could prove invaluable, particularly if a lockout prevents him from accessing team coaches. Should he demonstrate the ability to handle outfield duties, he might emerge as a viable option for the Dodgers next season. The experience and knowledge shared by these veterans could be the key to unlocking De Paula's full potential and solidifying his role in the major leagues.